On December 23, 2001, at approximately 3:40 p.m., South Hilo Patrol units responded to an affray on Ohai Street.

Upon arrival, officers found the victim, Franklin Matias, M-29, unconscious on the sidewalk fronting 375 Ohai Street. It appears that an 18-year-old male, who left the scene in a white 2-door passenger sedan, had assaulted Matias.

Matias is reported to be in critical condition and has been transported to Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu.

Anyone with information about this assault is asked to contact Detective Jeremie Evangelista at 961-2377.

Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. The numbers are answered 24 hours a day. Callers will be given a coded number and their identity will remain anonymous. Callers may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 if their call leads to an arrest, indictment, or the recovery of property. Crime Stoppers neither subscribes to “Caller ID,” nor does it record telephone calls.